This is a well-known show, primarily for the Dark Star, though there are fine moments elsewhere too. The Road Trips release is $55. and up now that Dead.net has long sold out, so I'm settling for this board to stream, since I have a good desktop stereo now. The following night is a good show as well. Interesting to note that the band flew out to Florida and back to San Francisco just for these two shows, period. Sounds as if it was worth it!

At the time, the Seminole blocks in Hollywood weren't subsumed by Miami suburb like today. Nor did this block have the massive guitar-shaped hotel tower. The boys went east just for this booking. They had just played down the street in December (also a fest gig). The list of bands on event posters [Johnny Winter; Sweetwater; Youngbloods; Sweetwater; Joe South; Aum; NRBQ; Rhinoceros; Muddy Waters; Timothy Leary; The Echo; Nervous System; Jane & the Electric Jive Wire] is not accurate to what actually went down, though there doesn't seem to be a definitive account. Additionally, because Bear had dumped Orange Sunshine [natch, FL] into the fresh orange juice dispenser, several acts made it only as far as backstage. This isn't an example of the best of '69. There are a decent Dew, M&MU, and Stephen, but not much else going on; just avg GOGD. The goings-on on the grounds were the high point.

Hard to Handle is pretty loose, but things settle out for a fine Morning Dew. Dark Star has a nice section @10:20>11:50. After a strong St. Stephen, there is some difficulty finding the downbeat on The Eleven, though the finish is nice. They played Lovelight both nights. There is a nice lick or two early on, but then it's you-had-to-be-there and a long jerk off.

Overall = 2½ stars

SOURCES: The pcm_dalton_miller_clugston sounds good but runs very slow, needing +4% pitch correction. The gmb_96631 is slightly less complete, but it sounds as good and is at the right pitch [or close: the SBD and the official need -1% pitch correction]. The whole set is on Road Trips v4 n1.

The earliest archived version of this show is actually more complete & doesn't sound significantly worse than this one.

I have this recording on CD called "Bear Trap". It is MOrning Dew through St. Stephen. If you wnat to piece any together this is one of the best pyschodelic recordings of the early dead that has great sound and separation. So real, yet so live, if you know what I mean. Wish they could have played like this in later years, even 2 years later. At their best inspired livin up to the trip. Sound is amazing on my disk. Bought this in Philly on South st in 2003.

It also has Carousel recording, 2.14.68 of Other one>New Potato>Born Cross Eyed>Spanish Jam.